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Snooker star has fixing case to answer

English snooker player Stephen Lee's career is in the balance after being told he has a "case to answer" by the sport's governing body following a match-fixing investigation.

The 38-year-old is alleged to have breached World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) rules in matches at four tournaments, including the 2009 World Championship.

Lee has been suspended by the WPBSA since October, after he was told he would not face a criminal prosecution over fixing allegations.

However, the WPBSA believes it has enough evidence to pursue a case against Lee at a formal independent hearing arranged by Sport Resolutions UK at a date to be arranged.

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A WPBSA statement on Thursday said: "The WPBSA has gathered a large amount of material from the Gambling Commission, West Midlands Police and third parties in relation to these allegations.

"The available evidence has now been considered and in accordance with the disciplinary rules, the chairman of the disciplinary committee has decided that there is a case for Stephen Lee to answer in relation to a breach of the WPBSA members rules.

"These alleged breaches relate to four matches at the Malta Cup 2008, two matches at the UK Championship 2008, one match at the China Open 2009 and one match at the World Championship 2009."

Lee responded later in the day through his lawyer, Tony Miles, in a statement denying the allegations completely.

"Mr Stephen Lee wishes it to be clearly known that he denies all allegations brought against him by the WPBSA," the statement said.

Miles said: "Mr Lee is shocked by the suggestions made against him; he has been a professional snooker player for 20 years and has always sought to uphold the highest standards as required of such a player. He has fully co-operated with the WPBSA in its investigation.

"He continues to be suspended by the WPBSA and the impact of suspension and the allegations upon him and his family is considerable."

Lee came to prominence during the mid 1990s, alongside the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.

But unlike that trio, Lee has never won the World Championship although he has taken five ranking titles.